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Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Sep 19, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Granada logo

1-0

Benzema (55')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Player Ratings: Real Madrid 1-0 Granada

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed during Real Madrid's 1-0 La Liga win over Granada at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid have moved temporarily top of La Liga following a 1-0 win over a plucky Granada team on Saturday.

The only goal of the match arrived in the 55th minute, when Karim Benzema headed home an Isco cross.

Granada had a goal chalked off for offside in the first period as well as creating a couple of excellent chances, but they could not make the breakthrough at the Bernabeu.

Here, Sports Mole has taken a closer look at how each player performed in Madrid.


Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (L) celebrates with Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Pepe (C) and Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Granada FC at the Sant© Getty Images

REAL MADRID

Goal

Keylor Navas: Justified his continued selection with another strong performances between the sticks. Made an excellent save to deny Youssef El-Arabi and looked strong and confident from high balls. (7/10)

Defence

Dani Carvajal: Was always prepared to break forward and caused problems with excellent delivery from the right. That said, was caught out on a couple of occasions in defensive areas. (7/10)

Pepe: Slotted into the team due to Sergio Ramos's injury and impressed with a calm and confident performance. Got out-run by Success, but was strong in the challenge and aerially dominant. (7/10)

Raphael Varane: Was a real doubt for the match after coming off injured against Shakhtar Donetsk and looked a couple of yards short. Still had a pretty good game overall though. (6/10)

Marcelo: Was unfortunate not to gain a penalty in the second period following a strong run, but did struggle a touch defensively against the pace in the Granada attack. (6/10)

Midfield

Luka Modric: Had his side's best chance in the first period after good work from Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Croatian found the Granada goalkeeper in excellent form. (7/10)

Isco: The best player in a Real Madrid shirt on the day. Should have scored in the first period after finding space inside the box, but capped a strong performance with the assist for Benzema. (8/10)

Toni Kroos: Was a surprise that the German started after recent comments about his fitness, but he was replaced just past the hour. Steady performance, but not an awful lot more than that. (6/10)

Attack

Lucas Vasquez: Gareth Bale's injury meant that the Spaniard was handed his first Real Madrid start in the league. Looked bright in spells, but did drift in and out of the match. (6/10)

Karim Benzema: Proved the matchwinner with his header early in the second period. Should have scored more than once, but was always a threat with his clever movement. (7/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo: Could not add to his devastating run of form, but that was not down to a lack of chances. Had plenty of attempts, just could not find a way past the Granada stopper. (7/10)

Substitutes

Mateo Kovacic: Given the final 30 minutes after replacing Kroos and looked neat and tidy in possession. Kept the ball moving during a period where Real Madrid were dominating the ball. (7/10)

Denis Cheryshev: Will have been disappointed not to have started ahead of Vasquez, but looked bright late on and should have scored when he met a loose ball inside the box. (6/10)

Casemiro: Only given the final five minutes of action. (6/10)


Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with David Rodriguez Lomban (L) of Granada CF during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Granada CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 19, 2015 in Madrid, Spain.© Getty Images

GRANADA

Goal

Andres Fernandez: Man-of-the-match performance from the goalkeeper, who made a whole host of excellent saves. Did not deserve to be on the losing side at the Bernabeu. (9/10)

Defence

Miguel Lopes: Was a surprise that the right-back did not look to exploit the space down the Real Madrid left. Solid enough performance, but might well have offered more. (6/10)

Doria: Perhaps slightly fortunate not to concede a penalty in the second period, but his physicality was a strong part of his performance. Did not shirk a single challenge. (7/10)

David Lomban: Found Ronaldo difficult to handle when the Portuguese turned on the gas, but the summer signing from Elche used all of his experience to produce a strong display. (7/10)

Cristiano Biraghi: Did well to keep Vasquez out of the game for long spells and produced a couple of dangerous crosses when he ventured forward. Had a decent afternoon. (7/10)

Midfield

Rene Krhin: Tasked with protecting his back four and the Slovenian international did a good job at the Bernabeu. Also used the ball intelligently in the middle of the park. (7/10)

Javi Marquez: Did not shirk any challenges in the middle of the park and was fortunate to not pick up a booking until the 70th minute. Certainly worked hard for his team. (6/10)

Edgar Mendez: Was involved in some good moments for the visitors, but might have shown a bit more quality in possession of the ball. Departed in Granada's third and final change late on. (6/10)

Attack

Isaac Success: Came as a big surprise when he was replaced just past the hour. Caused Real Madrid all sorts of problems with his pace, but could not make use of a couple of excellent chances. (7/10)

Youssef El-Arabi: Alongside Success, was his team's most dangerous outfield player. Had a couple of super chances in either half, but just could not find the back of the net. (7/10)

Ruben Rochina: Skippered the side at the Bernabeu and led by example with an energetic performance. Was not too involved in the final third, however, and was ultimately replaced. (6/10)

Substitutes

Robert Ibanez: Replaced Success for the final 30 minutes, but just did not offer the same threat as the player he replaced. Found it difficult to pick up the pace of the match. (6/10)

Fran Rico: Was a surprise that the Spaniard did not start, but he showed a good attitude after entering in the 67th minute and was prepared to put himself about. (6/10)

Nicolas Lopez: On-loan Udinese forward was given the final 15 minutes, but did not see too much of the ball. Could be a valuable player for Granada this season. (6/10)


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Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Granada FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Spetember 19, 2015
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